The marina and resort area are beautiful and we enjoyed our week before flying out tremendously! We met up with Lori and Dave who we met at the Fall Rendezvous at Joe Wheeler and they just took us under their wings. On Saturday night they took us to Sarasota's Marina Jack's to watch the Christmas boat parade with 5 of their other friends. We were on top of a beautiful, huge cruiser with a great view of the harbor. We enjoyed all of their friends and the night a lot. The next week we explored the area including Anna Maria Island, Siesta Key Beach, Bradenton, Longboat (where we had anchored but not explored the town) and Sarasota. It was wonderful not having a "to-do" list or agenda.
On December 19th we flew into BWI where our wonderful friends Jo Ann and Robbie McCready met us with our van. It saved us from driving to Calvert County and picking it up. We were in Tyrone before 2:30! Christmas was very special this year. It had just been three months since we saw Ben and Dave's family- but we had not seen them for Thanksgiving and we were both very glad to be back "home." We spent 10 days in Tyrone and tried to fill each day with wonderful memories. We particularly enjoyed our days with Ben- some days just doing nothing but being together. Dave and I also just loved being with all the family making new memories and re-enacting new/old traditions. All in all it was a wonderful holiday BUT.... the warmth and our boat were calling our name. We moved up our departure date from the 4th of January to the 28th. Sandy and Billy met us at BWI and took our van home to Calvert County. This gave us the opportunity to reunite with our wonderful cruising partners from last Fall- Jon and Bonnie. They picked us up at 7:00 p.m. at the Tampa area and we drove to the east coast to Stuart to their boat which had been left at Loggerhead after having boat work. We were all exhausted as they had driven over 1,800 miles in two days to get back to their boat! We took the next two days to provision and get their boat ready to depart. We did get in some great sight-seeing and meals before we left on New Years Eve Day. Stuart and Hutchison Island area are absolutely beautiful and I look forward to being back their in May!
We called our other cruising buddies- Gail and Dave Edwards who bought a house in Okeechobee last year to see if they would have room at their dock for a New Year's Eve visit. They did and after much delay getting to their house we spent a wonderful night eating, reminiscing and playing a game to usher in the New Year. To make a long story short- the bridge in their area is not used very regularly and you must make an "appointment" in order to have it opened. Jon had called the day before and then the day of to make sure we would be able to get an opening. After we came out of the lock we were immediately in front of the bridge. The bridge tender and his assistant- yes that's right he has an assistant for a bridge that is never opened, attempted to open the bridge but the gates would not come down to stop traffic and so the bridge would not open. They had to call in a highway specialist (yes this is New Year's Eve) to come and work on the traffic gates. Two hours later with much cheering and toasting we were through the bridge and on our way to Gail and Dave's dock. Of course- we toasted everyone up and down the canal as they all came out to stare at the 39' boat coming in front of their house. Word had spread quickly about us being stuck- and many spectators came out by pontoon, bicycles and cars to check us out. But in the end- everyone was happy to see us and wish us the best for the New Year. It was a wonderful way to usher in the new year. And I was happily able to carry on our annual traditions of lighting a bayberry candle to burn into the new year, place money outside of the door to bring in the next year and of course pork and sauerkraut. Thanks to Jon and Bonnie who joined us in all of our traditions!
We left the next morning and started straight across the Okeechobee Lake. It took us a day and a half to get into the Fort Meyers area where we stayed at an anchorage on Saturday night. The anchorage was incredible and we so enjoyed our time of just being on a boat on the water! We arrived at LBK late Sunday afternoon and after toasting our wonderful week together- we finally got back to our "home." I think we were all happy to sleep in our own beds that night.
This was week has been one of getting back into a schedule and getting things done around the boat. We have enjoyed pool and hot tub time all week- although the last two days have just been sitting bundled on the lounge chair and not near the water (temps only 69!). Our boat is currently getting detailed and she has never- ever looked so shiny and pretty! So excited to take pictures and post. We got together with our old friends from Calvert County on Tuesday- Bob and Bonnie Scott. It was so nice to see them and catch up on their travels in their "land yacht!" We are looking forward to Sandy and Billy's arrival on Thursday and praying the weather is nicer than what is forecasted! I am sure there will be lots of pictures to post after the weekend! Dave and I wish you all a Happy and Healthy 2016!
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| Sunset across from Captiva when we were on anchor with Bon Voyage |
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| Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade with new friends. Solomons Island parade put these folks to shame! |
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| Siesta Key Beach. I told Dave this is the only snowman that I wish to see for the rest of the winter (and next winter and next winter.....) |
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| These were just some of the beautiful decorations at our marina. They really did a beautiful job! |
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| Well it wasn't meant to be be! As we were driving to Tyrone we saw lot of snow in Woodbury and even snow falling in Altoona- but when we hit Tyrone NO SNOW! Yay! |
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| One of the joys when we come home is our "grandpuppy" Titan who just loves to sit with his Nanny. He lays his head right up against my face to sleep. He is just a big sweet baby! |
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| Exploring Sarasota is the iconic statue of the returning sailor kissing his nurse. You can see how big the statue is with Dave and I underneath! |
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| Our wonderful cruising buddies and good friends Jon and Bonnie at Hutchison Island Turtle Beach. So happy we got to reconnect! |
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| The hard coral that has built up on the beach |
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| The four Amigo's! |
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| Dave and I enjoying the view on the back of Bon Voyage |
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| Sunrise on Lake Okeechobee |
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| We were not used to the locks on the Lake- all they do is allow water to flow into or out of the lock to raise or lower the levels. Way different from the large river locks! |
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| Bon Voyage's burgee flag from the great State of Iowa! |
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| Captain Jon in the pilothouse! |
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| We met our wonderful Looper Friends from Elizabear (Jane and Tom) and Always Home (Wayne and Donnadee) at lunch at Marina Jacks. Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE LOOPERS! https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zQ-p5yMRca88.krc3uHJWCmsw |
